Love - Its Complicated! 26th Mar: Chapter 10 (E) is up on Page 71! - Page 45

Originally posted by: priyasree

Waiting for next

Originally posted by: sarita_barun

This is such a lovely story.

Loved Khushi's past... Arnav is yet again making the same mistake... hope Khushi shows him a mirror and he can see how much he has wronged her and give her the space to make her own decision regarding them.

Originally posted by: khwaishfan

waiting for Chapter 11~~~!!

Originally posted by: khwaishfan

Happy New Year Kalpana!

Originally posted by: khwaishfan

waiting 4 months now

Originally posted by: gaurijoshi

Love the story dear read all the chapters in one go

CHAPTER 10. (E) KHUSHI'S DECISION

Previously in Love - Its Complicated...

In one second, he changed. Gone was Arnav, the man Khushi loved. In place of him was ASR, the man who never lost anything and who wanted what was his, his Khushi.

"Come on Khushi! Lets go! We are leaving right now!, Arnav snarled as he grabbed a wide eyed Khushi's hand and dragged her with him.

Suddenly Khushi stopped and Arnav was unable to tug her anymore. He turned around and looked at her, "What are you doing, Khushi? Chalo!, he growled at her.

"Hum nahi chalenge! (I won't come!), Khushi mumbled shaking her head.

"What? Kyun nahi?, Arnav looked confused, "Don't be stupid, Khushi! Chalo! Hum abhi jaayenge and we will find a way to get married legally! We will go away from these people and then no one can separate us! No one, Khushi!

"ARNAVJI!, Khushi shouted and wrenched her hand away from his, "HUM KAHIN NAHI JAAYENGE! (I WON'T GO ANYWHERE!)

"What the!, Arnav swallowed the curse that was on his tongue and glared at Khushi, "Khushi! You are testing my patience now! Lets go!

"Kyun?, Khushi glared back, "Bas itna bataayiye! Kyun? Kyun chale hum aapke saath? Kyun? (Just tell me one thing. Why? Why should I come with you?

"Because... because..., Arnav fumbled and then blurted out, "Because I cannot live without you! I cannot survive without you. I want you, Khushi! I want you!

Khushi took few steps back unsure how to reply. Should she be happy that in his own roundabout way Arnav confessed that he felt something for her or should she cry because Arnav was once again doing the same thing he had done always?

Then her elder brother's words echoed through her head, But think carefully before you make your decision. That's all we ask! Think and do what is right for you! Not for me or Geet or even Arnav! Think about yourself!

That's when something about what Arnav said struck her and all her emotions turned into anger.

"Kya kahaa aapne? (What did you say?), Khushi snarled.

Arnav was taken aback by her reaction and just looked at her in confusion.

Khushi took a step towards him, her face filled with anger, "I! I not live without you! I want you! I! Har jagah par I! Aap, aap aur aap! Aapko sirf ek insaan ki padi hai aur woh hain, AAP! (Every time I! You, you and you! All you care about is one person and that is YOU!), she was screeching now.

"Khushi!, Arnav whispered pleadingly.

Khushi paid no heed to his emotions. She just glared at him and let out her feelings loose, "Aapko aapke sivaay koi aur dikhaayi nahi deta! Aap, aap aur aap! Bas apne baare mein hi soch rahe hain aap! (You cannot see anyone else but you! You, you and you! All you are thinking about is you!) She looked down in anguish and let out a sob, "Kehte hain yahaan se bhaag chalenge! (He says we should run away!)

Arnav was aghast to see her wiping her eyes.

She looked up at him with tear filled eyes and continued to speak, "Lekin ek baar bhi aapne socha? Humein toh abhi abhi humaara parivaar mila hai! Unse aise bichhadke humein kitna dard milega? (But not once did you think? I just found my family! How much painful it would be to be separated from them?) Anger filled her eyes again and she looked at him with accusation, "Nahi! Lekin aapko kya? Aapko toh bas aapki hi khushiyaan chaahiye! Humaare sapne, humaari ichchaayein jaayein bhaad mein! Haina? (No! Why do you care? All you want is your happiness! My dreams, my wishes may as well go to hell! Right?)

She surged forward and grabbed his collar. She started to shake him, "Aaj bhi aapke mooh se, humaare liye aapke jo ehsaas hain, woh baahar aaye kyunki aapko darr laga tha ki aap humein kho denge! Warna aaj bhi aap apna mooh nahi kholte! Bas hum par hukum chalaate rehte! (Even today, your feelings for me came out, because you are scared of loosing me! Or else even today you would have kept quiet! All you would have done is order me around!)

She pulled her hands away and stepped back, "Aap aaj bhi apne baare mein hi soch rahe hain! (You are still thinking about yourself!)

Khushi suddenly started shaking her head, "Lekin ab nahi! Ab aur nahi! (But no! Not anymore!) She once again wiped her eyes and when she looked at him, she had the expression of determination on her face.

"Bas bahut hogaya, Arnavji! Aapki manmaani bahut hui! Hum aur nahi seh sakte! Nahi! (Enough is enough, Arnavji! Enough of your high-handedness! I cannot bear it any more! No!)

She turned around to walk away when Arnav came out of his stupor and spoke up, "What do you mean, Khushi? He felt as if icy hands were clenching his heart and he was unable to breathe. He could only watch with agony as Khushi continued to walk away from him.

"Khushi! Kuch toh bolo!, Arnav blurted out and Khushi turned around and looked at him.

Arnav frowned as he noticed the pain etched on her face. He could only stare at her as she gave him a sad smile. Her smile spoke volumes to him. She looked defeated, as if she had given up.

"Jaante hain aap Arnavji..., Khushi spoke, "aaj humaare parivar ne humaare saamne do raaste rakhe! Kahaa ek ko chunna! Pata hai woh do raaste kaun se hain, Arnavji? (Did you know Arnavji, today my family asked me to choose between two paths! Do you know what those paths are?) Khushi didn't give him the chance to reply, "Ya toh aapke saath zindagi bitaaun ya toh aapko bhool jaaun! (Either be with you for life or forget you!)

Arnav took in a sharp breath. His eyes widened as he waited for her next words.

Khushi looked down for a second and then she looked up, "Hum aapko sach bataayein toh ab tak hum taiy hi nahi kar paaye the ki hum kya chunein! Aap, aapki ehem, aapka ghamand, aapki badtameezi, ya apni aazaadi, apni manmaani, aur aapke iss dard se ek dum doori! (To tell you the truth, I was unable to choose one out of the two till now! You, your ego, your pride, your misbehavior or my freedom, my rights and being far away from all the pains given by you!)

Arnav felt as if someone dealt him a blow. He took a step back as her words penetrated his mind.

She continued to speak, "Aur iss waqt, aapka palda halka aur humaari aazaadi ka palda bhaari lag raha hai! (And this time, I am more inclined towards my freedon than you!)

"Khushi!, Arnav spoke up in shock, as he realized that he was going to loose her. He started to walk towards her and seeing his movements, Khushi let out a sob, turned around and ran into bathroom. She shut the door just as he reached it and he was left banging on the door, shouting her name and hoping in his heart that she didn't decide to move on from him!

It was to this scenario that Geet arrived. She was aghast at the situation in front of her. Arnav was banging at the bathroom door, tears streaming down his eyes and Geet could hear Khushi sobbing from the inside. Hey Babaji! What happened now? Its good that Maan took Vicky to park an hour ago. Or else there would have been a third world war right here!

Geet entered the room feeling agitated as she realized that Arnav must have agitated Khushi and broke her heart again. Uff! Yeh Arnavji! Here I am talking from his side and he goes and ruins his own defence! Hey Babaji! Why am I surrounded by hard headed idiots? And they call themselves genius businessmen! Ya right! Here is Arnav the impulsive, and there is my husband, Maan the overprotective! I actually pity Khushi who is stuck between these two!

Geet reached Arnav and pulled him away, ready to lash at him for making her sister-in-law cry and also for being so hardheaded but stopped when she saw the pain in Arnav's face. He looked lost and unsure, as if he was too lost in his own pain to even realize what was happening. The despair of loosing Khushi reflected on his face acutely and Geet felt her heart pinch at his anguish. His lost expression told her a story; a story of a broken man. He was a man who had already lost too much that also at such a young age, Geet realized. She wondered what had happened in his past that destroyed a seemingly good person and molded and twisted him into this egoistic, ruthless broken man. She filed her question away for later and pulled Arnav away from the door. His face was still facing the door and he still kept looking at it longingly till Geet made him sit on Khushi's bed and dragging a chair, sat in front of him making him unable to see the door. That is when he finally focused on her.

The pain on Arnav's face once again made Geet sad. He was desolate as he was scared of loosing Khushi, Geet realized. That prompted her to speak up, "Relax, Arnavji! Everything will be fine!

Arnav looked at her for few seconds and then placed his head in his hands mumbling, "I doubt!

"Don't!, Geet told him, "Don't doubt it! I know what I am saying! Everything will be alright!

"How can you be so sure?, Arnav asked her sounding defeated, "She wants nothing to do with me. Then how can you guarantee me that all would be right?, he questioned.

"Because..., Geet smiled at him, "This thing called love... Its very strong! Don't underestimate it!

Arnav chuckled mirthlessly and looked at her, "Oh really? If its so strong then why are you guys so hell bent on separating us? Kyun kar rahe hain aap hum dono ko juda?

Arnav looked down again and didn't notice Geet smiling.

"Because Arnavji, you have yet to prove to us that you deserve her!, Geet replied and Arnav looked at her in shock.

Seeing his reaction, Geet explained to him, "What does a good parent want for their daughter, Arnavji? And I am not talking about career and education. I am talking about the ultimate goal! What would a parent want?

Arnav frowned and Geet continued, "All a good parent want for their daughter is to see her happy! And that is why when it comes to marriage, a good parent tries their level best to find that one person who can make their daughter happiest! Also, a good parent always wants their children to find someone who deserve them. And that's exactly what I and Maan want for Khushi too. She should not only be the happiest but also with someone who is worthy of their love!

This time it was Geet who was frowning, "But whatever we had heard or seen about you, is not something we are impressed with. Infact, to tell you the truth bluntly, all we have seen about you has been very bad, Arnavji!

Arnav's eyes widened at her sharp words. He was unable to deny; it hurt. To say he didn't deserve Khushi was very hurtful and he looked at her with anger on his face. He opened his mouth to defend himself but Geet piped up, "Arnavji! Listen to me fully before you say anything else! You asked for the answer and here I am, giving it to you! If you love our Khushi, even a little, you will listen to me and actually focus on my words instead of dismissing them right away!

Arnav looked down and Geet hoped that he actually listened to her and didn't tune her out.

She started to speak, "In all these years, all you cared about is your Di, and no one else! Your world revolved around your Di! While I appreciate your loyalty to your family, in future where will Khushi fit in this loyalty list of yours? Today, to keep your Di safe, you chose Khushi and walked out of your house. But what if one day you had to choose Khushi or your Di's happiness? After hearing all about you, all I can think is you will choose your Di. And that is something Maan or I cannot accept.

Geet took a deep breath and hoped that Arnav wasn't offended by her words. But the fact was, he needed to hear those words. He needed to see how his decisions affected the world. He needed to see how they affected Khushi. He always saw the world from his point of view. Someone needed to show him the mirror and see his actions from others', especially Khushi's point of view.

Geet waited few seconds for her words to sink in and then she continued with the next point about Khushi and Arnav's relationship that stood as an obstacle to their future, "Then there is the lack of trust between you and Khushi.

Arnav looked at her in confusion and Geet elaborated, "You love her. Yet when she needed you the most, you did not trust her. You blatantly believed the worst of her, without even asking for her point of view. If it hadn't been for her decision to kill herself just to make you listen, you wouldn't have even given her one single chance! And then once she told you her side of the story, you still didn't believe her! You even asked her to marry you to prove her innocence. Next time another Shyam comes and accuses Khushi again, will you again ask proof from her?

Arnav took in a sharp breath at her words. He didn't want to admit it but he could see the truth in her words. She was right! He hadn't trusted Khushi that night! If she hadn't threatened him, he might have even gone ahead and forced her to marry him contractually. Arnav wondered how he must have felt if he was in Khushi's place and Arnav was unable to breathe at the thought of being forced to do something. What have I done? Arnav thought as he looked up and stared at the door that stood between him and Khushi. She was a girl who thought marriage was forever and Is had planned to make a joke out of it! No wonder her family refuses to let me be with her. I almost broke her with my actions! What must she think of me? Before Arnav's thoughts could spiral anymore, Geet spoke up.

"And then there is the lack of respect!, Geet spoke and Arnav came out of his thoughts. He looked at her curiously and she elaborated, "You remember how you met her the first time?

Arnav closed his eyes as he remembered. Her scared eyes flashed first in front of him. Why hadn't he noticed? Why hadn't he noticed how scared she was when he had grabbed her so viciously? Her vehement denial about ruining his fashion show echoed in his ears. Why didn't he see her point of view? Why did he jump to conclusions directly before even trying to hear her side? A voice, suspiciously sounding like Geet, echoed through his mind, "Because that's what you always do! And Arnav realised the voice was right. That day too he jumped to conclusions and he did the same when Shyam told him that he and Khushi loved each other. Why? Why was he so rude to Khushi when they first met? And the answer flashed through his brain. "Because the fashion show was a gift to his Di and he felt as if his gift for his Di was ruined! He opened his eyes in shock. That day for my Di, I mistreated a stranger. And then again for my Di, I tried to force a woman, the woman I had fallen in love with, to marry me contractually. What was I thinking? What was I doing? Arnav couldn't believe how wrong he behaved and thought, when it came to his Di. I couldn't see the difference between right and wrong when it came to my Di. I was so blind with my love for her, that I disrespected and mistreated every other person in my life. I was rude to Naaniji, I played with Lavanya's heart for the sake of my Di and now I almost destroyed Khushi. Naaniji, Lavanya, Khushi, I was unfair with all of them for the sake of my Di!

Just Geet started to speak, "That day you disrespected an innocent girl. She was not even Khushi then. She was just a stranger. I am sorry to inform you Arnavji, but you don't respect woman, forget Khushi. If you treat a stranger so horribly the first time you meet, then how can we trust you to treat Khushi with respect?

Geet paused wondering if she should reveal the next information or not. If she did, it might drown Arnav in his guilt and that can backfire. He might loose hope about getting Khushi back. And that's not something I want. Because Khushi still loves him. No, I just want their relationship to be like normal couples. No! I can't let him know! She shook her head and looked away but then she remembered the tears in Khushi's eyes as she narrated the incident. No! Arnav needs to know! Then only he will realise the consequences of his actions! He needs to know how he could have ruined the life of a stranger by his impulsive behavior. Then only he will think before jump to conclusions next time. But what if it backfired? She looked up and prayed. Babaji! Please make my plan work! Please don't let it backfire!

Geet took a deep breath and continued to speak, "When you met her first time, you could have handed over to Police as a suspect in sabotaging your fashion show! But what you did? You manhandled her, you traumatized her and then by leaking that video you humiliated her so horribly that she could not live in her own house. She was in danger of getting raped because of your actions, do you know that?

Arnav looked at her with wide eyes, "What? How? Wha... Arnav was unable to say anything else. He was too stupefied to even speak coherently. What had he done? He thought as tears filled his eyes. Till now he had believed that he had almost destroyed Khushi's life when he nearly forced her to marry him contractually. But now he realized that he had ruined everything for her even before that. What would have happened if she had been sexually assaulted? Arnav put his head in his hands. Just then he remembered the time when Khushi had saved his life by feeding him sugar at the right time! After this, how could you even think about saving me, Khushi? How! Oh God! He covered his face with his hands as Geet's words about the result of his actions echoed through his head.

Geet felt sadness course through her as she noticed how broken Arnav was after she told him the truth. Deciding to assuage his guilt, she spoke up, "Arnavji, you are not a bad person!

"How can you say that?, Arnav interrupted her, looking at her aghast. How can she say that after everything I have done to Khushi?

Geet smiled, "Because I know it. I have spoken about you with Khushi and I have learned since then that you are not a bad person. Its only just that, your ego and your anger has blinded you so much... that you have done the most harm to that one woman who now means the world to you!

Arnav looked away at her words for few seconds and then looked back at her with pleading expression on his face, "Now what am I going to do? I know that I have made mistakes. I know, you people are right in your place. But I cannot loose her. I just cannot! I love her! She is my life! So tell me, what am I supposed to do?

Geet chuckled, "What you are going to do? Simple! You are going to go and prove to my husband and my Nanad that you are the right guy for Khushi.

"What?, Arnav looked at her in shock.

Geet let out a laugh, "What? You thought love is easy! This is love we are talking about, it is complicated. You have to work hard, Mister. Broken trusts cannot be mended easily. It takes time and effort! And you also have to prove that you respect her! Without respect, her life would be miserable in future!

Arnav looked down for few seconds and then he looked at her eagerly. Geet felt as if she was looking at some eager puppy. Arnav started to speak, "If I prove my value will Khushi accept me? Will you people let me be with my Khushi?

He looked at her eagerly and then his expression turned into despair as he shook his head, "Because right now I don't think so.

Geet sighed, "You know, aapki aur Khushi ke zindagi ka faisla humaare haath mein nahi hai! Toh hum kya soch rahe hain aur kya nahi, that shouldn't matter to you! (You know, we are not the ones who are going to decide about your and her life! So we are thinking shouldn't matter to you!) What matters is what Khushi thinks! My husband have given Khushi the power to take the right decision. To be with you or to move on, is her decision. And you know what? She has yet to give her decision. She is not ready to be with you, but she is not ready to move on either. Got it? Samjhe kuch! Do you know what does that mean?

Arnav frowned as he tried to understand what Geet was hinting. It took him a few seconds and then his eyes widened. He took in a sharp breath as hope bloomed inside him for the first time since Khushi hid herself in the bathroom. He looked at Geet hopefully and Geet nodded.

"Jaao! Go and think about what I have just said! And then, you do what you need to prove to us that you are the right guy for Khushi. Make the decision and take the right steps., Geet advised.

Arnav nodded and stood up, "Thank you! Thank you for opening my eyes. Agar aapne mujhe sachchai jataayi nahi hoti aur mujhe mera mirror dikhaaya nahi hota then I would have lost my Khushi forever. Thank you! I will keep your advice in mind and do whatever necessary to prove you all that I am the one right for Khushi.

Geet nodded and Arnav turned towards the window and was about to walk away when he stopped and turned towards the bathroom door. He could still hear her crying. She was still sobbing her heart out! Arnav felt emotional too as he realized that he made her cry. He took a step forward towards the door.

"I will take care of her!, Geet spoke up and he stopped. He turned and looked at her and she nodded.

"You better leave before Maan comes back! He won't be impressed, if he sees you here., she warned him. Arnav nodded, took a deep breath and then walked towards the window.

"Excuse me!, Geet piped up, sounding a little amused, "You can use the door, you know! I already know you are here! So using the window is kind of redundant.

Arnav gave her a weak glare at her teasing comment, nodded and walked off.

Geet waited for few minutes and then called for Khushi to come out. When Khushi didn't come, Geet let her know that Arnav had gone. When Khushi still didn't come out, Geet consoled her through the door, "Dekh Khushi, I know you are in pain. But you can talk to me. Please, Khushi! Baahar aa jaao! Please!

The door opened and Khushi came out running. Geet opened her arms and Khushi rushed into them. She hugged Geet and started to sob again. Geet comforted her as they sat down on the floor. As she petted her hair, she continued to say, "Main sab theek kar dungi, Khushi! I will make everything fine! I will right everything that has gone wrong! Just have some patience!

And the emotional part has finally come to an end!

Now time for some romance!

But that doesn't mean there will be nothing but romance!

There will be a little emotional scenes, some angst but mainly its Arshi dates and romances!

Next up: a leap! Before you worry, its only of 3 months!

Why leap? Because Arshi will be separated for these 3 months! Do you seriously want to see them separated? I don't think so! So might as well jump to 3 months later when they meet first time in 3 months!

Where was Arnav in these many days? What was Khushi doing around that time? Next chapter will let you know!

Thank you, take care and have fun,

Kalpana